New screening machines tighten airport security |05 April 2012

The new equipment aims to detecting plants and invasive species and other prohibited and restricted goods smuggled in the country into passengers’ carry-on bags. One of the scanners has been installed in the airport’s arrival lounge, to screen bags of passengers going through the green area. The second one has been set up in the departure lounge for transit passengers.

The equipment and associated accessories have been given to the Government of Seychelles through a grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the 2011 work plan of the Biosecurity project being implemented by the GOS-UNDP-GEF Programme Coordination Unit (PCU).

The official handing-over ceremony took place earlier this week, in the presence of the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan, leader of the opposition David Pierre, members of the National Assembly, principal secretaries and other guests.

Addressing the guests, Minister Morgan said Seychelles, like most remote islands, is susceptible to invasive alien species.

“We know, for example, that the Takamaka tree disease was introduced through the importation of plants with soil. Another example is the introduction of the White Fly, which today is so widespread and out of control, was through the smuggling of plants in the hand luggage of a passenger. The red-eared slider turtle also arrived here smuggled as a pet,” he said.

Mr Morgan added it is important that there is re-enforcement at the various points of entries in Seychelles.

The x-ray screening machine – which were said to be one of the latest European-approved equipment – were ordered from Smith’s Detection and using innovative technology can detect organic and inorganic materials.

The GEF focal point Didier Dogley officially handed over the scanners to the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) chief executive Gilbert Faure, after which those present could see a demonstration of how the scanners worked.

The SCAA said for now passengers will be screened at random, and other agencies like the environment and customs departments are conscious that this might slow up arrival processes in the beginning, but expect things to improve within a few days.

Minister Morgan appealed to people arriving in the country to “bear with them” and that work will start soon to widen the arrival and clearance area.

The two scanners – inclusive of spares, training and installation – were said to have cost a total of US $482,000.